After a nationwide search, Utah State University has turned to one of its own to become the first dean of USU Tooele.

Gary Straquadine, a former vocational agriculture instructor and current associate dean of USU’s College of Agriculture, will take the helm of the Tooele regional campus on May 1, 2009.

“The potential for growth at the Tooele Regional Campus is enormous, and we are pleased to have identified the right person to provide leadership for that academic unit,” said Raymond Coward, USU executive vice president and provost. “Dr. Straquadine is an established scholar, an experienced administrator and an inspirational leader.”

Straquadine, 52, came to USU in 1987 after completing his doctorate in agricultural education at Ohio State University. He has held a variety of leadership positions including vice provost for academic and faculty services and head of USU’s Department of Agricultural Systems Technology and Education. Originally from New Mexico, Straquadine earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico State University in agricultural and extension education. He has published more than 70 professional manuscripts and scientific articles on agricultural and science education.

“The opportunity to be involved in the growth of the campus and its academic offerings was very attractive,” Straquadine said. “USU as a land grant college has a mission to be the people’s college, to take education to the people, and that is what the Tooele campus is doing. I intend to continue to develop the programs that are already planned. I don’t plan any change in direction. I am enough of a researcher to say I need to collect some data before making any decisions. Ask me in about a year and I can tell more about the future and where we will be going.”The move to having an academic dean head the campus signals a maturing of USU Tooele, according to Ronda Menlove, USU vice provost for Regional Campuses and Distance Education.

“An academic dean is an experienced senior-level administrator in the college system, and as we hire more full-time faculty for the Tooele Regional Campus, the dean will be responsible not only for the administration of the campus but also the mentoring of faculty.”

The nationwide search for the new dean began last summer. After preliminary interviews, two finalists were brought to the Tooele and Logan campuses to meet staff and community leaders. Menlove said Straquadine got the nod because of his scholarly and administrative credentials, not necessarily his academic area of expertise.

“While we do not currently have an agriculture program at Tooele, agribusiness is one of the programs under consideration for expansion at Tooele,” Menlove said. “But that is not why we hired Dr. Straquadine. Straquadine is a top scholar in his field, both as an instructor and researcher. He also has experience leading an academic department, has served as a vice-provost, and is currently an associate dean. Dr. Straquadine has experience mentoring faculty and leading an academic department. These are the skills we need for leadership at the Tooele Campus.”

Erik Stromberg, USU Tooele student body president, had a chance to meet Straquadine and was impressed with his clear vision for the campus and personable nature.

“The campus will be in good hands with Dr. Straquadine,” Stromberg said.

Straquadine will provide academic and executive oversight of the Tooele Regional Campus, as well administer USU programs and distance education at sites along the Wasatch Front and in the southwest area of the state. He will also oversee USU’s partnership with Snow College.

While Straquadine will be new to Tooele, there will be a few familiar faces when he arrives here. As a faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Straquadine was the master’s thesis advisor for Bob Gowans and Ed Johnson, the vocational agriculture teachers at Tooele and Grantsville high schools, respectively. Straquadine also worked with Tooele County Commissioner Jerry Hurst when he was an agriculture teacher.

“I am looking forward to moving to Tooele,” Straquadine said. “The USU campus is truly statewide. Our mission is to take our programs to the people. Through improved technology we can reach place-bound students with new opportunities, as well as serve a growing enrollment of traditional students.”

Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com